HEREFORDSHIRE will have a number of new permanent bus services that run on Sundays from the end of August.
Last year, Herefordshire Council used Covid recovery funding from the Government to put on free weekend buses.
That included the introduction of a number of new Sunday services on several routes around the county.
And now Herefordshire Council said it will continue to financially support the most popular additional Sunday bus services when the free travel scheme ends on August 28.
RELATED NEWS:
- Major announcement about fares as Hereford buses face rising costs pressure
- Herefordshire village takes action over loss of bus service
- 'Disgrace' of refusal to fund Herefordshire's bus improvement plan
A spokesperson said Bus-It has been extremely popular, with thousands of people using the free bus service each month.
Some bus operators will continue to offer fare promotions at weekends once the scheme ends, such as DRM Bus, based in Bromyard, which will offer two-for-one travel.
Some new Sunday services had been introduced as a result of the scheme, while others were brought back for the first time since the Covid pandemic hit.
New Sunday bus services in Herefordshire
The following Sunday services will continue with council backing:
- 34/40 Ross-on-Wye - Monmouth & Ross Town
- 420 Bromyard - Hereford
- 476 Ledbury - Hereford
- 461 Kington - Hereford
- 426/492 combined service from Leominster - via Bodenham - Hereford
Coun John Harrington, cabinet member transport and infrastructure said: “We introduced free weekend bus travel to encourage people back onto public transport to visit new places following the pandemic to help support residents and the local economy.
"I have heard many stories of individuals, friends and families taking advantage of the Bus-It scheme to events or facilities around the county and boost the local economy."
OTHER NEWS:
- Award-winning Herefordshire tourist attraction to shut at the end of the month
- Herefordshire petrol station boss's pride as he sells petrol 24p cheaper
- Herefordshire brothers have 'surreal' experience as they graduate together
He added: "I hope that people have enjoyed using the scheme and found that there are alternatives to using the car, sitting back and taking in the scenery as they travel around our beautiful county.
"I hope it has shown that you don’t necessarily have to drive to places you could get a bus to, or that teenage children can take the bus to places like the Skatepark instead of being driven by car."
OTHER NEWS:
- New plan for Hereford micro-distillery in former public toilet
- Police hunt man in scruffy white top after Herefordshire public toilet attack
- Watch: First look inside the Herefordshire shop with its own secret bunker
Coun Harrington said the council knew it couldn't afford to fund the scheme in the longer term.
He also said that it was "bitterly disappointing" that the government rejected the council's £18 million bid for our Bus service Improvement Plan to provide a "really comprehensive and affordable" bus service within Herefordshire.
"We are continuing to consider ways we can work with our valued local bus operators to improve our local bus services to make them a more convenient and attractive way to travel," he said.
The Sunday services that were not well used and so will end on Sunday, August 28 are:
- 36 Monmouth – Hereford
- 454 Fownhope - Hereford
- 675 Ledbury – Great Malvern
- 496/401 Pembridge - Leominster Circular and Leominster town
What are your thoughts?
You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.
Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here